Gourmet News

Creepy Condiment: Heinz Tomato Blood Ketchup Is Back

Published September 27, 2022

Heinz Tomato Blood Ketchup has returned, spooking grocery store shelves nationwide and making meals a scary good time. The tomato-gore-filled limited edition bottle features the Heinz Ketchup fans know and love and returns just in time for Halloween.

As the creepy condiment returns to dinner tables and costumes this Halloween season, Heinz enlisted the help of Toby, a vegetarian vampire influencer who gave up the traditional vampire lifestyle and chooses to eat something tastier instead – Heinz Tomato Blood Ketchup. Through an informational PSA, Toby is on a mission to convert as many of his fellow vampires to enjoy Tomato Blood and, crucially, spare the necks of humans.

“Being a vegetarian vampire and only eating Heinz Tomato Blood comes with a lot of misconceptions,” said Toby, the 280 year-old vegetarian vampire, influencer and Tomato Blood activist. “I hope that by issuing a PSA, vampires nationwide will consider that humans can be more than just food and give friendship a chance while enjoying a tasty alternative.”

Heinz encourages ketchup lovers everywhere to be like Toby this Halloween season, joining vegetarian vampires everywhere and indulging in devilishly delicious Heinz Tomato Blood before it flies off shelves like bats from the sunlight. Heinz Tomato Blood Ketchup is available at retailers nationwide starting in October. Additionally, human fans of Toby can head to select Six Flags locations to try the Totally Loaded “Bloody” Nacho Fries featuring Heinz Tomato Blood and, when the sun goes down, experience the thrill of Six Flags Fright Fest during the month of October.

“Whether dripped on a dinner plate or used as a creepy accessory, Heinz has been helping people make memories for years, and this Halloween is no exception,” says Alyssa Cicero, brand manager, communications, Heinz. “The limited-edition Heinz Tomato Blood Ketchup bottle features the iconic ketchup people know and love in a design even vampires can appreciate.”

Fans can watch the vegetarian vampire film featuring Toby, himself, on Heinz’s YouTube channel and during the AMC Premiere of “Interview with a Vampire.” Heinz will also be taking over some of the most popular channels on Fandom and unveiling a special vampire-themed activation on Twitch.

For updates on the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Bake Fest Holiday Edition Scheduled for Oct. 8

Published September 26, 2022

The Bake Fest Holiday Edition, a virtual learning event for bakers taught by well-known baking influencers, is set for Oct. 8.

Founder Stefani Pollack held the first Bake Fest in May 2021, with the second one in May. Pollack is a blogger and social influencer with nearly one million Instagram followers on her @cupcakeproject account.

The events typically draw about 1,000 attendees from all over the United States, Pollack said.

“Our next online event is all about holiday baking,” she said. “It’s taking place on Oct. 8 and includes eight hands-on holiday baking classes and business of baking classes as well as video chat networking opportunities with bakers and baking brands in our virtual marketplace.”

Tickets are on sale for $15 on thebakefest.com. Prices go up to $25 on Oct. 1.

“If you are a home baker, baking business owner, or aspiring baking business owner, this event is for you,” Pollack said. “It will be a day filled with classes, holiday shopping opportunities, prizes, and networking.”

Classes include:

Product demos and Q&As in the virtual marketplace
Discounts from all marketplace vendors
A chance to win incredible prizes
Recordings for a full year

Topics and speakers include eight baking and business classes with recordings for a full year:

Easy-Peasy Holiday Baking – Jessie Sheehan
Wafer Paper Ornament Cake Decorating – Katelyn Brewer
A Mid-Century Christmas Sugar Cookie – Mitzi Torgersen
Holiday Cookie Design – Liz Joy Murray
Showstopper Christmas Tree Cupcakes – Jyoti Nanra
How To Raise Your Prices And Make More Dough – Laura Luk
Holiday Business Talk – Porsha Kimble
How To Create, Market, And Sell Virtual Holiday Baking Classes – Amanda Shonberg

Day-of shopping discounts and prizes will be available to attendees from participating brands: Castiron, Amoretti, CakeSafe, ClearBags, Eddie, The Edible Ink Printer, Canvas, Cake and Cookie Planner, Bob’s Red Mill, Simply Delish, Impact Products, Cabot, Caljava, Lolly’s, Sweet Elizabeth and Swans Down.

For updates on topics of interest to the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Greene Concepts Appoints National Sales Director

Published September 26, 2022

Greene Concept’s flagship product, Be Water. (Photo: Greene Concepts)

Greene Concepts, Inc. has appointed Brian Adkins as national sales director. The position entails coordinating all efforts in the company’s expansion of national and regional retail chain partners for all Greene Concepts’ brands.

Adkins has more than 20 years of consumer-packaged goods industry experience including beverage, frozen/dry and natural food categories. Adkins holds strong relationships with numerous regional and national retail chains.

“I fully believe that we will be in all major retailers soon as they see the value of Be Water, Stay and Happy Mellow and how the brands resonate with consumers,” Atkins said. “Health, quality, strong packaging, and a strong story are all important and our brands excel in each of these.

“Many people have been asking when Be Water and the company’s other brands will be available in more stores nationally,” he said. “That time is coming quickly as we continue negotiations, timing, and placement discussions. We’ve already made tremendous inroads and in short order I believe everyone will soon be able to find the Company’s brands in every major retailer across the country.”

Greene Concepts, Inc. is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The company’s flagship product, Be Water, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness.

Greene Concepts’ beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, N.C., where the water is ethically sourced from seven spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers.

For updates on issues of interest to the food and beverage industries, subscribe to Gourmet News.